Over 30 students involved in racist text chain
Dwight-Englewood 7th graders included
Dwight-Englewood Head of School Jeremy Gregersen sent out an email to the school community on Tuesday regarding a group text among some middle school students that included several racially charged jokes and other offensive language.
The text chain included more than 30 seventh grade boys, including the son of the head of school, according to the letter.
Gregersen said the students were involved to various degrees, with some saying nothing about the racist online jokes, others reacting and egging on the offensive language, and some students even participating in the comments.
The head of school has removed himself from the investigation to ensure a fair and equitable process. An outside counsel will assist the middle school in navigating the disciplinary measures that will be directed toward those students, according to Gregersen.
The letter says Middle School Principal Jonathan Davis, seventh grade Dean James Aitken and the members of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) office are now working with students to reaffirm the school’s values and communicate that no hateful speech will be tolerated.
Gregersen said he feels responsible for what has occurred. He said in his message to parents, “I want to do all I can to support the members of our community who have been directly and indirectly affected.”
The head of school also said he wanted to make it clear that the material in the text chain does not resonate with the values of his family.
“I remain deeply committed to working with all its members of our community to make sure that ours remains a diverse, supportive, and inclusive place,” wrote Gregersen.
Dwight-Englewood is a private school in Englewood with a student population of about 900, from preschool to 12th grade. Annual tuition ranges from $34,000 for preschool to just over $59,000 for grades six to 12.